Who Makes The Best 1911 Under $1000
- Thread starter sigbear
- Start date
- Status
rswartsell
Member
I've had good experience with Kimber Custom II that can be had for just a smidge under a grand. Have heard good things about RIA at half a grand but a bad experience with a Llama 1911 convinced me to go with the proven name even though more $. I'm happy I did.
rellascout
member
Dan wesson get one now!
Shooter973
Member
Look at the Springfield offerings, they have a lot to choose from and they make a great product!!!
walker944
Member
If you want to test the waters of the world of the 1911, and not wanting to sink a lot of money; a no-frills, very good "entry level" 1911 is the Rock Island Armory version. You can usually pick one up for around $400-450 depending on availability.
Browns Fan
Member
I've got a detonics 9-11-01 that I paid just under $1k for. My second choice is Dan Wesson.
banjoman2255
Member
dan wesson rz 45 heritage. $925
soloban
Member
I love my Springfield Loaded. Paid about $850 last year.
MICHAEL T
Member
Dan Wesson buy fast their going up end of year
Glock hands down. They don't rust, bust, collect dust, implode or explode.
I want to see a 1911 do this. Or any other gun for that matter!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj5Kcs4dzro&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygcfp40RTKs
And this one is hilarious. This moron could not even kill a Glock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeEnzVkglI
I want to see a 1911 do this. Or any other gun for that matter!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj5Kcs4dzro&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygcfp40RTKs
And this one is hilarious. This moron could not even kill a Glock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeEnzVkglI
NinjaFeint
Member
I have been most impressed with Smith and Wesson. I realize the name is not as sexy as Kimber. I understand they don't have blown up pictures on their web site detailing every little feature like Taurus or Springfield. They do however shoot beautifully, consistently and accurately. They also make an external extractor work and flawlessly in my experience.
I think right now Colt is offering some of the best quality/value in new guns. If you want to save a buck, get a used Colt, 1991 or XSE, or older model, won't matter much. The new 2009 model, the Combat Elite re-issue, is a real winner in the under $1000 category at retail.
Smith and Wesson and Dan Wesson offer good products to consider. Springfield is pretty good but you have to live with foreign manufacture and some barrel construction worries on some models. Kimber makes great guns, but also has some quality control issues more than other makers. But part of that is because they are the largest volume producer at the moment. They also have more MIM parts than others on average, and Colt has the least if that matters to you.
No, careful shopping and $600 will land you a barely used, late model Colt or similar quality gun. $600 is probably about the "floor" right now for a high-quality, slightly used 1911 style gun.
Apparently this poster hasn't spent THAT much time around Glocks...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=490375
I have owned a Glock and enjoyed it. But one thing I insist upon in an autoloader is a frame made of forged or high-quality investment cast steel between my hand and a barrel failure. Too many guns fail this test; plastic doesn't cut it.
Smith and Wesson and Dan Wesson offer good products to consider. Springfield is pretty good but you have to live with foreign manufacture and some barrel construction worries on some models. Kimber makes great guns, but also has some quality control issues more than other makers. But part of that is because they are the largest volume producer at the moment. They also have more MIM parts than others on average, and Colt has the least if that matters to you.
No, careful shopping and $600 will land you a barely used, late model Colt or similar quality gun. $600 is probably about the "floor" right now for a high-quality, slightly used 1911 style gun.
Apparently this poster hasn't spent THAT much time around Glocks...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=490375
I have owned a Glock and enjoyed it. But one thing I insist upon in an autoloader is a frame made of forged or high-quality investment cast steel between my hand and a barrel failure. Too many guns fail this test; plastic doesn't cut it.
Last edited:
Averageman
Member
Years ago I got a Colt 1991 on sale NIB for $399.00.
Did a little work on it and made it mine. It never fails to function and is a very comfortable, reliable weapon.
I carried 1911's for 21 years in the Army, a little of that time as an Armorer, you can't go wrong.
I will get a RIA when I get home and trick it out just enough to make it mine and then box it back up and hang on to it for my Son.
Did a little work on it and made it mine. It never fails to function and is a very comfortable, reliable weapon.
I carried 1911's for 21 years in the Army, a little of that time as an Armorer, you can't go wrong.
I will get a RIA when I get home and trick it out just enough to make it mine and then box it back up and hang on to it for my Son.
Old Dog
Member
OK, Oro, tell me where in Washington state that you're finding Colts in decent shape for $600? 'Cause I'm a WAC member, haunt every PS area shop and all the ads, can't find 'em for that ...
Some would argue that with SA and Kimber, you get more features at every price point than you would with Colt, i.e., night sights, frontstrap checkering, ambi-safeties, etc.
Foreign manufacture seems only to matter in the 1911 world. Where a gun is made shouldn't dissuade anyone from a particular brand; Brazilian (IMBEL) and even Chinese steel (Norinco) is considered good quite good quality steel.
Many engineers would tell you that MIM parts can be fitted to more precise tolerances that forged steel parts, though 1911 purists insist that MIM breaks more easily (even though forged steel parts can break, too).
For me, my favorite collectibles are Colts, I like my Springers, and I carry a Kimber more often than not. Don't have a Dan Wesson, but several associates have been kind enough to let me fondle and shoot theirs, and I'm most favorably impressed. S&W 1911s? No experience with 'em, will admit I'm prejudiced against the external extractors ...
Some would argue that with SA and Kimber, you get more features at every price point than you would with Colt, i.e., night sights, frontstrap checkering, ambi-safeties, etc.
Foreign manufacture seems only to matter in the 1911 world. Where a gun is made shouldn't dissuade anyone from a particular brand; Brazilian (IMBEL) and even Chinese steel (Norinco) is considered good quite good quality steel.
Many engineers would tell you that MIM parts can be fitted to more precise tolerances that forged steel parts, though 1911 purists insist that MIM breaks more easily (even though forged steel parts can break, too).
For me, my favorite collectibles are Colts, I like my Springers, and I carry a Kimber more often than not. Don't have a Dan Wesson, but several associates have been kind enough to let me fondle and shoot theirs, and I'm most favorably impressed. S&W 1911s? No experience with 'em, will admit I'm prejudiced against the external extractors ...
nwilliams
Member
Personally I'm a big fan of Colt's but my second choice would be Springfield.
If the OP was asking about Glock then he wouldn't have asked which is the best 1911 for under $1000
There are plenty of Glock threads that may welcome your comments but they are unnecessary in this particular thread. I'm not disputing that Glocks are decent guns, but 1911's they are not.
A decent 1911 can easily be purchased for under $1000 especially a decent used one.
If the OP was asking about Glock then he wouldn't have asked which is the best 1911 for under $1000
There are plenty of Glock threads that may welcome your comments but they are unnecessary in this particular thread. I'm not disputing that Glocks are decent guns, but 1911's they are not.
(Laughs), certainly not at a WAC show! Classifieds, the local papers, NWfirearms, Little Nickel, and on Gunbroker if you look hard enough/consistently enough. But certainly not at WAC shows. Those nowadays are mostly good for jawing with friends and buying tasty beef jerky. I found a pinned WWI 1911 magazine at a Puyallup show last winter for $10, so that will have to satisfy my sum total of "deals" for the year at a WAC show since maybe 2007.
I have seen quite a few Mk IV/80 and 1991/80 guns in excellent used condition on classifieds for $550 to $600 all over the country. It's just a matter of hunting the internet tubes and byways to find deals.
Major Kong
Member
I've got a Colt, a Springfield, and a Dan Wesson (all under $1k). If I could only keep one of them it would be the Dan Wesson.
Perseverance
Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2009
- Messages
- 39
Dan wesson
robctwo
Member
I have a SA loaded and a S&W 1911PD. Both under $1,000. The S&W had the better trigger out of the box. Both reliable and accurate. I think Dan Wesson is right there as well, and would buy one if wanted another 1911 in that price range.
Bare bones entry level I'd buy Rock Island.
More 1911s coming out in 9mm, and I bought a nice one last year. It's a thought if ammo prices are an issue for you.
I own a Glock or 2, didn't think the OP was looking for comparisons between the two platforms.
Bare bones entry level I'd buy Rock Island.
More 1911s coming out in 9mm, and I bought a nice one last year. It's a thought if ammo prices are an issue for you.
I own a Glock or 2, didn't think the OP was looking for comparisons between the two platforms.
- Status
